Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid Claim Young QB as Patrick Mahomes’ Protegè
There are few head coaches with a stronger reputation of developing elite quarterbacks than Andy Reid, and few have accomplished what Patrick Mahomes has during his career.
Still, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking a flyer on a young passer to add to the depth chart.
Even though Carson Wentz is essentially entrenched as Mahomes’ backup and the No. 2 quarterback in Kansas City, the Chiefs claimed Bailey Zappe off waivers from the New England Patriots on Wednesday.
Zappe, 25, was released by the Patriots during final roster cuts following a woefully disappointing preseason.
The writing had been on the wall this summer for the former fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, after the Patriots had signed veteran Jacoby Brissett and chose Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick during this spring’s NFL Draft.
Additionally, rookie Joe Milton’s emergence during the preseason offered the Patriots more upside, especially for a coaching staff that drafted him, than Zappe, which ultimately led to the former fourth-round pick getting his walking papers.
Through his first two seasons, Zappe has appeared in 14 games, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.